‘Difficult times ahead’ as rugby clubs are pushed to brink
THE future of one of Welsh rugby’s most iconic clubs is in grave doubt amid a wider crisis that has reportedly left around 30 others on the brink of extinction.
Merit Table winners in 1978 and 1979 and invincible in 1949-50, Maesteg RFC today reveal they are in peril as the effects of Covid-19 on sport bite hard.
The outlook is grim for many others, too, with one leading official warning that a record number of Welsh clubs are close to folding as the coronavirus pandemic bites.
There is still no sign of a return date for clubs who are desperate to start playing again and begin raising revenue on match-days.
Maesteg, who have dropped down to League 3 West Central B amid an acute shortage of players, are one of the more high-profile clubs in imminent danger.
“It’s heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to think that a club of such history and standing, who’ve stood the test of time for close on a century and a half, might potentially not be here in 12 months’ time,” Maesteg secretary Darren Farmer said.
“It hurts to say that.
“My grandfather was chairman of the club and my grandmother cooked in the kitchen. But we are experiencing very difficult times. My guess is we are not alone.
“The restrictions that are in place because of Covid-19 have left countless clubs assessing their viability and at Maesteg we have had discussions about opening on a week-to-week basis, putting the club into hibernation, or worse.
“In the short term, do you shut your doors to conserve cash or do you open just to get people in?
“If you choose the latter option, you end up bleeding money and that can go on for only so long.”
Maesteg may have dropped through the divisions in recent times, but they have a past to compare with most in the Welsh game.
During their heyday Maesteg were renowned for fielding some of Welsh rugby’s hardest and most durable packs.
After the club dropped through the leagues, former England and Lions hooker Brian Moore sympathised, saying: “I used to use my experiences playing away at Maesteg as inspiration before England v Wales games.”
Former Wales stars Rupert Moon and Phil Davies were among others who sent their best wishes.
Maesteg secretary Mr Farmer said he understood the need for restrictions, but in turn clubs had been left with huge problems.
“It’s a perfect storm,” he added. “In July we asked our supporters if they’d renew their memberships and the response was exceptional.
“We have also retained some of our sponsorships, but we are still running at a loss on a week-to-week basis.
“We are exploring all avenues, but we are a rugby club and we are not playing rugby. It’s tough.”
The outlook is grim for many others, too, with Aberavon Quins secretary Stuart Broad, a leading figure in a campaign to rescue struggling clubs, telling The Rugby Paper: “A record number of clubs are folding.
“There are so many clubs teetering on the brink of extinction. Playing numbers have fallen massively in recent years with catastrophic consequences.”
Broad offered up the names of 22 clubs whom he said had become “inactive because they cannot play competitive rugby any longer”.
There are also real fears the absence of rugby will affect the game in other ways.
“Rugby for players and supporters is often a case of routine,” said Neath RFC secretary Mike Price.
“But with no games being played people are going to lose the habit.
“Some players could have gone a year or so without training or playing by the time we resume and in some cases they may not bother coming back.
“The longer the current situation goes on then the average supporter in the lower leagues may get out of the habit and do other things.
“The game is heading for difficult times and I don’t think there are easy answers.”